"Already the transfer of the year" - Patrick Lefevere heaps praise on Soudal-Quickstep signing amid Giro d'Italia success

Soudal-Quickstep found themselves a game-changer in the transfer market over the off-season and it's one that has helped bring Paul Magnier to the next level with three stage wins in this Giro d'Italia as he hunts another in Rome.

That's according to former CEO Patrick Lefevere at least, who described their signing of classics star Jasper Stuyven as the best piece of business in the cycling transfer market, with the Belgian a crucial lead-out man for Magnier in his sprint successes the past three weeks.

Quickstep and Lefevere are no longer officially affiliated, but the legendary team boss travelled out to his visit his former ranks and had high praise for Stuyven and even went as far as to tell the 34-year-old himself.

Stuyven arrived from Lidl-Trek as a big-name addition as the team re-adjusted to life after the departure of Remco Evenepoel. A consistent spring performer, he notched top tens in Milano SanRemo and the Tour of Flanders before an impressive third in Paris Roubaix.

“For me, Jasper is already the transfer of the year, and I have told him that as well. What he has already meant to Magnier in this Giro is worth its weight in gold. Now that he is riding for us, it really stands out how important he is,” Lefevere said.

He praised the closeness of the team after their victories, adding: “During my visit to the Giro, I was able to see how close-knit the group is. And Jasper Stuyven played a decisive role in that.”

Despite Magnier's wins, he's still second behind Tim Merlier in the team's sprinter hierarchy, with the veteran belgian primed for the Tour de France after two victories in France last summer.

Historically a sprinting and classics outfit, Lefevere highlighted his focus on sprinting when he was calling the shots and how he expects Merlier to now take the baton in the Tour.

He added: “I have always ensured that we had a top sprinter in the team, because sprinters provide stability. Paul is proving that now in the Giro. The next series of wins should be one with Merlier in the Tour.”